11/10/2026
🚨 STATEMENT 🚨
🖤💛⚽ THE END OF AN ERA — FOOTBALL4CHARITY STOKE ⚽🖤💛
Where do I even begin? This is a post I never thought I’d have to write, and one that comes with a very heavy heart.
Back in 2024, I formed Football4Charity Stoke (F4C) with a simple aim: to bring people together through football, put on charity matches, support worthwhile causes and make a genuine difference to people’s lives.
What started as an idea became something I’ll always be incredibly proud of. From organising charity football matches and bringing players and supporters together, to raising money for different charities and causes, F4C has been about so much more than football. It’s been about community, kindness, supporting others and showing what can happen when people come together for something bigger than themselves. 🖤💛
Over the course of this journey, we’ve been fortunate enough to raise thousands of pounds for amazing causes, with our fundraising total reaching over £7,300. One of our most memorable events was the Liam Byatt Memorial Match, where we came together to honour Liam’s memory and raised approximately £2,213 for the Stroke Association. An incredibly special evening, made possible by everyone who attended, donated, sponsored and supported us.
Every match, every donation, every sponsor, every player who pulled on a shirt and every supporter who turned up played a part in making F4C what it became. None of this would have been possible without you, and I will always be grateful for the support we’ve received.
Unfortunately, life doesn’t always go the way we plan.
Recently, my illness has increasingly taken its toll on me, both physically and mentally. I’ve tried to keep things going for as long as possible, but the reality is that battling my health has become my priority. I simply don’t have the time, energy or capacity to continue giving F4C the commitment it deserves.
I’ve also had to accept that things haven’t been able to continue in my absence in the way I’d hoped. After a lot of thought, I’ve come to the difficult decision that it’s time to call it a day and bring Football4Charity Stoke to an end.
This isn’t a decision I’ve made lightly. Walking away from something you’ve built from the ground up is never easy, especially when it means so much to you. But sometimes you have to recognise when it’s time to put yourself first.
As part of closing F4C, all remaining funds raised under its name will be accounted for properly, with the balance donated to charity. The page will be closed, and Football4Charity Stoke will officially come to an end. Any future football or fundraising activities organised by others will need to operate independently of F4C.
Remaining funds account to £151.98 and will be donated to The Gingerbread Centre. 🫶🏼
I want to say a massive thank you to every single person who has been part of this journey since 2024. To the players, opposition teams, sponsors, venues, volunteers, photographers, families, friends, donors and everyone who shared a post or helped spread the word — thank you. You’ve helped create memories, support worthwhile causes and make a difference that goes far beyond the football pitch.
To everyone who stood by me personally while I’ve been dealing with my illness, your kindness and understanding mean more than you know.
Although this chapter is coming to an end, I hope the good we’ve done together will live on. The money raised, the causes supported, the people brought together and the memories created will always be something worth celebrating.
Football4Charity Stoke might be coming to an end, but the impact we’ve made together will always be part of its story. 🖤💛
It’s been an honour to be able to do this, and I’ll always look back on what we achieved with pride.
For now, it’s time for me to step away, focus on my health and take things one day at a time.
Thank you for everything. From the bottom of my heart.
This is goodbye from F4C.
One last time…
🖤💛⚽ Football4Charity Stoke — 2024–2026. Thank you for being part of the journey. ⚽🖤💛
Chris 🖤💛
